Couple of GSA questions

[snerkler]

Well I'm ready to be shot down after asking the following questions, and to have the piss taken (no change there then ) but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Anyway, why does having a larger front wheel make it more advantagous for off roading as in the GSA, KTM adventure etc?

Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings? On the standard GS the fixing blend in with the flow of the bike, yet on the GSA you get these huge fastenings. I'm assuming it's something to do with stability/security of the fixings for off road use?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Well I'm ready to be shot down after asking the following questions, and to have the piss taken (no change there then ) but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Anyway, why does having a larger front wheel make it more advantagous for off roading as in the GSA, KTM adventure etc?

Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings? On the standard GS the fixing blend in with the flow of the bike, yet on the GSA you get these huge fastenings. I'm assuming it's something to do with stability/security of the fixings for off road use?

Wheel size is the same on gs and GSA . 21 inch is good for a real offroader but too weak for putting on a beast like a gsa
Pannier fittings on GSA are more sturdy in a spill off road which you are more likely to attempt on a GSA . The vario panniers are easily broken in a fall

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

21 inch wheels are too weak? What's that supposed to mean?

For proper off roading a 21 inch wheel is the way to go as it navigates the bumpy stuff better than a smaller wheel. I've got the Vario cases fitted to my GSA and as I don't go 'overlanding' or regularly through my bike on its side I find them more that suitable

 

[Engineer]

Well I'm ready to be shot down after asking the following questions, and to have the piss taken (no change there then ) but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Anyway, why does having a larger front wheel make it more advantagous for off roading as in the GSA, KTM adventure etc?

Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings? On the standard GS the fixing blend in with the flow of the bike, yet on the GSA you get these huge fastenings. I'm assuming it's something to do with stability/security of the fixings for off road use?

Big wheels go over bumps better than small wheels - ever tried riding one of those tiny wheeled micro scooters along a bumpy path.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Well I'm ready to be shot down after asking the following questions, and to have the piss taken (no change there then ) but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Anyway, why does having a larger front wheel make it more advantagous for off roading as in the GSA, KTM adventure etc?

Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings? On the standard GS the fixing blend in with the flow of the bike, yet on the GSA you get these huge fastenings. I'm assuming it's something to do with stability/security of the fixings for off road use?

What were you riding before BMW

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

larger wheels also have more gyroscopic effect which leads to stability. A bike like the GS/A is primarily a road bike and a 21" wheel would slow the steering down too much so the 19" is a compromise between sharp road steering and slow steering needed for off road work. All the stuff about larger wheels going over bumps better are also true.

 

[Balders1450]

Well I'm ready to be shot down after asking the following questions, and to have the piss taken (no change there then ) but if you don't ask you don't learn.

Anyway, why does having a larger front wheel make it more advantagous for off roading as in the GSA, KTM adventure etc?

Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings? On the standard GS the fixing blend in with the flow of the bike, yet on the GSA you get these huge fastenings. I'm assuming it's something to do with stability/security of the fixings for off road use?

Q.Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings?

A.To carry the monsters in..silly!

 

[snerkler]

What were you riding before BMW

My bike history?

FZ6
Sprint ST
1200GS
Tiger 1050
GSX-R 1000
GSA

 

[snerkler]

Q.Why does the GSA have such monsterous pannier fixings?

A.To carry the monsters in..silly!

Damn, and I've been putting them in the top box

 

[Wapping]

Big wheels go over bumps better than small wheels - ever tried riding one of those tiny wheeled micro scooters along a bumpy path.

He's right!

Think about pushing a small wheeled pushchair across gravel or uneven ground. It's difficult. Then think about pushing a large wheeled classic pram. It's much easier.

The pannier fittings? Vanilla GS, lightweight plastic, to support lightweight plastic vario boxes. GSA, sturdier fittings to carry heavier boxes.

If the aesthetics of the GSA's fittings do not suit, you can retrofit the GS carriers and vario boxes. Several happy owners do (see threads).

 

[cookie]

small wheels drop into holes easier.

the big pannier brackets are because that's what rufty tufty "adventure" riders require to look even more rufty tufty than they really (not very, usually).

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My bike history?

FZ6
Sprint ST
1200GS
Tiger 1050
GSX-R 1000
GSA

Thought so

Just a helpful pointer here about BMW GS's.....................

It will be quirky and weird

It will corrode

The paint will flake

You may encounter catastrophic mechanical failures

You will become very familiar with BMW's warranty procedure

The GS engine may blow up

It will use inordinate amounts of oil

It will eat rear brake pads

The shaft final drive may collapse it bearings and/or leak oil

The GSA alloy panniers will oxidise and discolour

You will spend inordinate amounts of money on mainly trivial Touratech stuff

The immobiliser may leave you stranded

The fuel pump controller may leave you stranded

In the event of dropping the bike, the crashbars and cylinder guards will be about as much use as a chocolate teapot

Apart from that........................you may grow to love the bike or you may just grow to hate it and sell it very quickly

Other than that they are pretty good bikes.....................so this is just to put your mind at rest and stop anymore questions

Remember...........................the SEARCH button on here.....................is your friend

 

[Big Nick]

Thought so

Just a helpful pointer here about BMW GS's.....................

It will be quirky and weird

It will corrode

The paint will flake

You may encounter catastrophic mechanical failures

You will become very familiar with BMW's warranty procedure

The GS engine may blow up

It will use inordinate amounts of oil

It will eat rear brake pads

The shaft final drive may collapse it bearings and/or leak oil

The GSA alloy panniers will oxidise and discolour

You will spend inordinate amounts of money on mainly trivial Touratech stuff

The immobiliser may leave you stranded

The fuel pump controller may leave you stranded

In the event of dropping the bike, the crashbars and cylinder guards will be about as much use as a chocolate teapot

Apart from that........................you may grow to love the bike or you may just grow to hate it and sell it very quickly

Other than that they are pretty good bikes.....................so this is just to put your mind at rest and stop anymore questions

Remember...........................the SEARCH button on here.....................is your friend

Bloody hell I'm selling before anyone else reads JB's post

 

[Balders1450]

Damn, and I've been putting them in the top box

That's where you've been going wrong!!!!

 

[snerkler]

Thought so

Just a helpful pointer here about BMW GS's.....................

It will be quirky and weird

It will corrode

The paint will flake

You may encounter catastrophic mechanical failures

You will become very familiar with BMW's warranty procedure

The GS engine may blow up

It will use inordinate amounts of oil

It will eat rear brake pads

The shaft final drive may collapse it bearings and/or leak oil

The GSA alloy panniers will oxidise and discolour

You will spend inordinate amounts of money on mainly trivial Touratech stuff

The immobiliser may leave you stranded

The fuel pump controller may leave you stranded

In the event of dropping the bike, the crashbars and cylinder guards will be about as much use as a chocolate teapot

Apart from that........................you may grow to love the bike or you may just grow to hate it and sell it very quickly

Other than that they are pretty good bikes.....................so this is just to put your mind at rest and stop anymore questions

Remember...........................the SEARCH button on here.....................is your friend

Just so you know I don't ask questions for reassurance (except maybethe oil question), but out of curiosity and to gain knowledge. I am one of those people who likes to know bits about everything

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I thought so

 

[Bear]

He's right!

Think about pushing a small wheeled pushchair across gravel or uneven ground. It's difficult. Then think about pushing a large wheeled classic pram. It's much easier.

Does this mean that a junior Wapping will continue the ascerbic posts we know and love?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just so you know I don't ask questions for reassurance (except maybe the oil question), but out of curiosity and to gain knowledge. I am one of those people who likes to know bits about everything

Don't just ask.....................search and research first ......................and then ask, not before

I think your GS ownership maybe shortlived though....................

 

[snerkler]

Don't just ask.....................search and research first ......................and then ask, not before

I think your GS ownership maybe shortlived though....................

Ok I'll bite, I'm interested to know what makes you say that?
I do use the search by the way, never seem to find the exact answers I want though

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Ok I'll bite, I'm interested to know what makes you say that?

Dunno..................just a gut feeling....................where did you get yours? Pidcocks or Rainbow?